Knitting-machine.



170. 817,775. PATENTBDAPR.17,1906. J. B. HIPWBLL.

KNIYTVTING MACHINE., APPLICATION FILED APB..29. 1905.

*6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED M1117, 1906.

J. B. HIPWELL. KNITTING MACHINE.

yAPPLICATION FILED 1111.29, 1905.

y6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

atroz/MW PATENTED APR. 17, 1906. J. B, LIVHPWBLL. KNITTING MACHINE'.

APPLICATION FILED APR.29, 1905.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PATENTED APR.` ,1-7, 1906.

J. B. HIPWELL. KNITTIING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED Arlms. 1905.

1 l l ll llll ...l

5mm/hoz atten/vlug' No. 817,775. PATENTED APR.`1'7, 1906. J. B. HIPWELL.

KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APB..29. 1905.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

@ummm No. 817,775. PATENTED APR. 17, 1906.

J. B. HIPWBLL.`

KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION PILEDAPILZQ, 1905.

' 6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

' isms comprised in machines ofthis class and ,narran sfrafrns rarnnr ernten@ MACHINE CO., OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION.

Kun-TIN@- To LZ/l whom, t Wray concern.:

Be it known that I, JOHN B. HIPwELL, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Reading, county of Berks, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knitting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to auto'- matic circular-knitting machines adapted for knitting stockings; and it consists in certain improvements in the various mechanin their relative arrangement and coperation, whereby the various results desired may be satisfactorily secured with simplicityr and economy both of construction and operation.

To this end the invention consists in the improvements hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In, the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my i'mprovements, Figure 1 is a general plan'view, the splicer mechanism belng removed and its supportingpost indicated in cross-section. Fig. 2 1s an en view corresponding with Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow 2. Fig. 3 is a partial front elevation looking in thedirection of arrow 3, Fig. l` Fig.4 is a cross-sectional Velevation on the line 4 l of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the interior of the cam-cylinder develo ed upon a plane. Fig, 6 is an exterior view o the cani-cylinder developed upon a plane, showing also the ring sliding thereon and its relation to the other movably-mounted parts. Figs. 7 and S show, in enlarged detail, the plunger-operated tlirow-in or throw-out cams in different positions. Figs. 9 to 18 illustrate the splicer mechanism and take-u Fig. 9 showing a general view of the main parts in the positions assumed for `ordinary circular knittin with dotted lines indicating the parts raised to proper position to connect the two threads, Fig. l() showing the operating means therefor at the base of the supporting-post, the. View being at right angles to Fig. 9. Figs. 11 to 14 are enlarged views showing the threadcutting means provided at one end of the thread-splicing trough. Figs. 15 to 17 are similar views vof ,the clamping means at the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 29, 1905. Serial No. 257.995. i

other end of said trough, and Fig. 1S is a secl tional'elevation on `the line 18 1S of Fig. 9 i

Mael-HNE.

Patented April 1'7, 1906.

'with the thread-splicing trough in raised position.

The various operations incident to the continuous production of stockings on circularknitting machines are well known, and diHerent mechanisms and combinations of mechanisms have been ldevised for effecting the same and for automatically changing the o erations, asrequired, at different stages of t e process. The novel mechanisms rovided 1n my improved machine will be lly described in connection With a description of the successive movements and operations ef-y fected thereby.

. The needle-cylinder 1, provided With vertically-gnided needles having hubs of different len ths, as usual, is carried 4by the vertically-a justable ring.2, Fig. 4, to which it is removably clamped b means of the expansible annular top" 3 o said rinff, over which the needle-cylinder is loosely tted and to which it is tightly secured by subsequently expanding said annular top,'which is split by cutting away a portion` thereof to receive a wedge-block 4 and partially separated from the main ring 2 by a horizontal cut 5 to er# mit of easy expansion when the Wedge-b ock 4 is drawn down by means of a clamping-nut 6. `The needle cylinder, as shown, is arranged so as to be vertically movable in the frame 8 of the machine, its supporting-ring 2 being provided with a plunger-guide 9 movable in a vertical guideway 10 1n the frame and being raised by means hereinafter described aga-inst a depressing-pring 11 tovary the length of the loops as The rotary cam-cylinder 20 21, inclosing the xed needle cylinder, is provided, as usual,

A withixed cams, pickers for respectively lowering and raising the hubbed needles into or out of action during the usual widening and narrowing operations, and throwout -and throw-in cams for raising or lowering half the needles at once. Referring particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be seen that the throwout cam 23 and the throw-in cam 24 are each carried by a plunger-shank 25, guided in a radially-arranged fitting 25a on the cam-cylinder. These cams are each normally pressed outward by a spring 26, but at proper times are forced inward, so as to engage the needlehubs by means of vertically-movable wedgeplungers 27, adapted to engage the ends of esired in fashioning the leg and in knitting the heel and toe.

IOO

muni! the shanks 25 oi the cams, said wedge-plungers being operated by means hereinafter described. 'lhe lifter-pickers, as shown, are similar to those described in Patent No. 749,933, issued to me January 19, 1904, comprising a spring-.pressed main arm 30, pivoted to the cani cylinder, an independentlyspring-pressed secondary arm 31, pivoted to the free end of the main arm, a needle-engaging 'linger 32, mounted upon the free end of the seconldaryvarm and extending through an opening 33 in the cylinder into the path of the needle-hubs, and a stop 34 to' limit the motion of the main arm. The' drop-pickers are of similar construction to the liiters, each comprising spring-pressed main arm 30a, an independently-spring-pressed secondary arm 31a, and. a needle-engaging finger 32a, the latter, howeveiybeing pivotally mounted at the free end of the secondary arm and independently spring-pressed, so as to provide a 'third ivotal movement to facilitate the clearance of the needle-hubs. The dropperv construction shown also ditlers in detail from that of the lilter, but is otherwise essentially similar. In connection with the cam-cylinder I ein: ploy a picker-controlling slide-ring 40 there'- on. As shown, this is provided. with a 'Iixed finger 41, arranged to directly contact with and swing into inoperative position one of" the 'drop-pickers, and with a projection 42, ar-

ranged to Contact with one end 'of a separate -finger 43, which is pivotally secured to the cam-cylinder adjacent to the other droppicker, so to similarly swing the latter. The required movement is given to the slidering 40-againstthe returning. action of a springv 44 by an engaging lever 45, pivotally secured to the cam-cylinder between the two wedge-plungers 27, said lever being provided with an arm 46, which. is operated by the saine means that operates the wedge-pluners 27, as hereinafter described. When the slide-ring 40 has been moved by the lever 45, it is automatically locked by a spring-latch 47 on the cam-cylinder, engaging a notch'48 in the ring, and so held until released, as hereinaitcr described.

Having thus described the knitting-head and directly-connected parts involved in my` invention, l. will now describe the diiierent mechanisms and their cooperative arrangement provided in my improved machine, as shown, Yfor automatically eli'ecting lat proper times the different movements and changes in the knitting operation required to produce a stocking. i

AThe c iii-cylinder 2() is rotated, as usual, by nrcans of a bevel-wheel 50, arranged in mesh with the toothed rim 26 thereof. This bevel-wheel 5,() is 'lined to a drive-shaft 5i, provided with a loose pulley 52 and a drivepulley 53.' Upon the intermediate portion of the shaft 5]. is a feathered clutch 54, located between a spring-pressed loose pinion l l l i 55 adjacent the bevel-wheel 5() and a pinion 56, 'fixed to the extended hub ol the drivepulley, so ti at when said clutch is moved into engagement with the drive-pulley-pinion 56 the bevel-wheel will be continuously rotated with the drive-pulley. The pinion 56 constantly meshes with and. rotates a crankwheel 57, which through a connecting-rod 58 gives reciprocating movement to a rack-bar 63, slid ably mounted in a suitably-slotted guido-cylinder 59 and adapted to engage the loose pinion on the drive-shaft 5], so that when the clutch 54 is thrown into engagementl with said pinion 55 a reciprocating movement is imparted b v said rack-bar to. the cam-cylinder as required` during the narrowing and widening operations. In connection with the loose and driving pulleys a spring-pressed belt-shifter 60 is provided, the guide-bar 61 of which is notched to receive a spring-lifted latch 62, the depressing of which releases the belt-shifter to stop the machine.

The pattern-chain is carried upon a chainwheel 71, which is moved intermittently by means of a pawl 72, engaging the ratcheted portion 73 thereof. This pawl 72 is pivoted at 74 to 'a pawl-carrying lever 75, arranged 'to be swung upon a pin7 6 in framepost 77 by each forward movement or' the rack-bar 63, the latter having a side projection 64 arranged to contact with the free end of the pawl-carrying lever 75, so as to turn the pattern-wheel one notch at each forward movement, a spring 7S serving to return the pawl and its carrying-lever to their normal positions. The pattern-chain carries a series of suitably formed and placed projections, by means of which the required movements of the diflerent mechanisms hereinafter described are primarily effected in proper sequence and time.

Changing the height of the needle-cylinder relative to the cam-cylinderduring circular knitting enables the length of the stitches to be varied, so as to thereby fashion or shape the stocking as desired. The means provided for effecting this needle-cylinder movement in my improved machine shown comprises a lifting-lever S0, Figs. 3 and 1", lulcrumed to the machine-flame at S1, an intermediate leverv 82, arranged at right angles 'thereto and having one end S3 thereof in adjustable contact with the tree end of said lever S0, and a rock-shaft S4, having one arm 85 engaging the other end of said .intermediate lever 82 and another arm S6, arranged in the path of suitable projections on the chain, whereby the required vertical'positions oiC the needle cylinder at di'tierent stages are automatically secured.

The movement of the clutch 54 on driveshaft 5l to change from the rotary to the reciprocating action is el'lected, as shown, through a clutch-engaging arm 90, 'fixed to a suitiablymountedA spring pressed guide- IOO IXO

sity/7a rod 91 by'means of an operating-lever 92, Figs. 1 and 2, which is pivoted to the jawshaped end 93 of a suitably-mounted rockshaft 94, having an arm 95 arranged `in the path of a suitabe'projection on the patternchain. The latter thus serves merely to turn the rock-shaft 94, so as to. lower the `clutch-contacting end of the operating-lever 92 against the tension of a spring 96 suiiicienty to bring the laterally-curved portion 9.7 of said lever into the-path of a cam 98, fixed to the inner rim-face of the crankwheel 57, the passing of said cam effecting the horizontal swinging movement of the lever 92 upon its pivotal connection to the rock-shaft 94, whereby the clutch is moved out of .engagement with the drive-pulley pinion 56 and into engagement with the loose pinion 55. When this movement of the clutch has been made, it -is retained in enof the mechanisms provided for effecting the same.

The clutch-engaging arm 90 91 is provided with a projecting pin 110, which engages the grooved or slotted portion 111 of a lever 112,`

which lever i s fulcrumed intermediatelyA at 113 and has its` opposite end extending over the Outer end 114 of the,needle-cylinder-lifting lever 80. This outer end of the lever 'has its upper surface inclined to the horizontal, Fig. 3, so that the swinging movement of-the lever 112 close above it. serves to depress said lever to raise the needle-cylin-v der, the extent of such raising action upon the needle-cylinder being regulated by an adjustablescrew 115 in said lever 112, the lower end of the said screw being set so as to bear upon said inclined surface ofthe lift-` ing-lever end 114 during the swinging movement of lever 112, and thus pressing it downward, as stated. To positively guide the lever in this swinging movement and insureV its uniform action on the lifting-lever, its extended end 116 engages a guide-rib 117 onbeyond the needle-cylinder-lifting lever 80,

which it operates as just described, and is connected at its end to a horizontal splicerconnecting rod 120, the construction and operation of which will be referred to hereinafter in describing the improved splicer mechanism and additional operating means provided therefor.

taneousV movements, as well as the subsequent one of similarly throwing said needles back into action,- as hereinafter described, are effected by means of a cam 125, slidably mounted in a guide-box 126, fixed to the machine-frame. (See Figs. 1, 2, and 3.) This cam 125 is normally held in retracted position by a spring 127, so as to be outside of the common path of the plunger-wedge 27 for the throw-out cam 23 andof the arm 46 of the' slide-ring lever 40, all of which Aare carried by the rotary cam-cylinder 20, as already described, the cam 125 however, being adapted to operate both of said parts simultaneously when it is moved into their path. This is effected, as shown, by means of a slide-bar 128, operated bythe-patternchain, a suitable projection on which engages the silde-bar end 129, so as to reciprocate the slide-bar at right angles to the guidebox 126 and causes the inward movement of the latter by engagement of its forward wedge-shaped end 130 with a depending arm IOO 131, Figs. 2 and 3, from the guide-shank 125a of the cam, as indicated. The extent of this inward movement is such as to place the cam in the path of both the outer plungerwedge 27 and the slide-ringvlever 40, as already stated, and it may be here explained that the plunger-wedge A27 for the throw-in Ifo ut that at a later period of the A ger-Wedge 27 and serving to depress said plunger just prior to the changing of the reciprocating movement to rotary.

The throw-out cam 23 is promptly withdrawn after its work has been done by` means of a cam. or projection 132, fixed in the path of rotation of its depressed plunger-wedge 27,

so as to reraise the latter. The slide-ring 40,

however, after being moved by the action of cam 125 on the slide-ring lever 45 is retained b v the catch 47 in the position to which it is jthusfmoved during the narrowing operation.

Preliminariv to the succeeding widening operation, however', it is necessary t'o release the 'atch 47 vtrom the slide-ring 4t), so that the movement ol" the latter b v its spring 4-1 will permit the d rop-pickers to resume their operative position This releasing operation is etl'ected b v means ol` a cam-lever 146, (see, Fig` .1,1 pivoted at 1-/11 and having'its cam end 142 adapted to be swung into the path ol the slide-ring catch 47 b v the action at proper time ot a passing projection on the paA urn-chain upon the opposite end 141-21 oll the lever. The drop-pickers being thus thrown into action, the widening operation proceeds as usual. Further reference to the cam-lever 141), however, is required because ot the additional function given it bv the provision of a second cam 144, Figs. 1 and 16, thereon, wherch) the slotted end 115 ol2 the splicer connecting-rod 12() is raised bv the same movement that ell`ects the throwing into action olE the. drim-pickers to cause the partial drop o'f the splirer tln'ezul-trough 175 'and separation oll the two'threads preparatoryv to cutting and clamping the reinforcingthread at the end ot' the widening operation, as hereinalitcr particularlyY described.

Vhen the succe; ive narrowing and widening opcratitn'is which l'orm the heel olE the Stocking have been completml and the rotar v knitting is to be resumed, a projection on the pattern-chain strikes the adjacent end 15() olt the spring-laeh OQ and turns` the latter on its 'lulcrum 1.31 iullicientlv to lower the opposite portion ol said' latch out o'l its locking engagement with the notched clutch-arm rod 91, thereby' releasing the latter and 'ausing the clutch 5-1 to be moved 'into engagement with the drive-pulle)v pinion 56, so as to change the eam-cvlindcr movement lirom reciprocating to rotary, as prevousl)v described. This movement' ol' the clutch also swings the connected lever 112, as bet'ore stated, but in reverse direction, ther-eb)Y relieving its downward pressure upon the inclined end 11;L of the needle-cvlinder-li'lting lever S6 and permittingI the lowering ot the needle-c vlinder to restore the normal length ol" stitches during the knitting ol' the tubular portion ol` the toot. Simultz'tneouslv at the end ol' the re eiprt 'ating movement the exterior sliding @am 125 is thrown inward its eXtreme movetuent toward the cam-c vlmder bv the patj tern-chain, as previouslv deseidied` to engage the plunger-wedge 27 ot' the throw-in cam, and therebv lower all the raised needles into action.

`Whenthc tubularportion ol` theloot iscompleted, the operations alreadv described tor automati'allv el'l'eeting the narrowing and widening at the heel are repeated in like mani ner to rtorm the toe. Alter the latter operadit-ional rounds, as usual, provision is made `l`or automatically stopping the machine by means of the lever 99, this being accomplished by imparting to the latter, through a larger projection on the pattern -cha.in, ay greater rocking movement than that described as occurringat the end of the heel-forming operation and by providing an arm 152 (see Fig. 2) on said lever 99, adaptedto come into contact with the. spring-lifted latch 62, engaging the slotted belt-shifter rod 61, so as to disen- 1 gage said latch, there/bjT causing the shitting ot the belt to the loose pulley and stopping the machine.

.l will now describe my improved threadsplieer mechanism as shown, certain features ot' which and their operating connections to the cooperating mechanisms already described have been previously referred to.

Fixed to the top ot a supporting-post 16() on the machine-frame is a' ciurier-head 161, comprising metal plate provided Withguidebosses 162 and 163 and opposite end extensions 161 and 16-'12 Mounted upon the end extension 1611 are the usual tension-disks 165 and guide-eve 166 i'or the approaelring main thread 167 and spaced-apart guide- .eves 16S lor the approaching reinforcingthread 1611, together with the pivoted takeup 176, having a terminal guide-eve 171 for the leaving thr `fad or threads and its spring 172, while upon the. opposite end extension 1645L are provided lixed guide-eyes 173 and 17-1. Sliding in the central guide-boss 162 is a vertical rod 176, to the upper end ol which is rigidlv secured a splicer-trough 175, having parallel depending guide-hars sliding in the guide-bosses 163. rlhe splicer-trough rod 176, as shown, has its lower portion 177 liointed at 178 to the upper portion to permit the slight lateral movement imparted to the lower portion bv its connection to the bellcrank 171.1, by which thc splicer-trough is elevated as required against a depressing-spring 186 on the rod 176. Adjustablv tixed to the rod portion 177 is a linger 181, which engages a pivotcd slack-arm 182, through the hollow end 163 ol which the reiniorcing-tln'ead 16) is passed to raise said hollow end into alinement with the spaced-apart; guide-eyes 16S when said thread is in service or lower the same to provide necessaryv slack in said thread preparatory to combining it with the main thread, as hereinafter described.

rl`he splicer-trough 175, as shown, is formed with a narrow tlnead-reeeiving groove extending thelfull length thereof' and is provided at its opposite ends with cutting means and clamping means, respectivelv, l'or thc reinlorcing-thread. The 'forward end ol the trough is provided with the cutting means illustrated in Figs. 11 to 14 and comprising, as shown, two shearing-plates 11)() and 191, arranged in a transverse guidewav, so. as to IOO tion, lmwever, and the knitting ol" several adcut the thread, which normally passes i'reelv x33 4trough to the lines, Fig. 9.- v

, provided at the other end of the trough also comprises two transversely-guided plates 196 and 196, arranged in this case, however, in the same plane, and the operating-rod 193a engages and operates only the one plate 197,

`though theA other is, as shown, slidable against a backing-spring 198 when the edges of the two plates are abutted to clamp the interposed thread; VA thread-guide plate 199, having an eye 204 and an arm 206, is xed to the incoming end of the splicer-trough. 'In the normal lowered position of the latter the main thread 167 passes above it to the outer A guide-eyes 173, 171, and 174, while the forward portionl of the reinforcing-thread 169is loosely held in the trough-groove by the rear clamping-plates 196 197, with the slack-arm 182 in lowered position back of the trough to provide requisite slack thread for thethread splicing or combining operation, which is periodically effected by the raising of the splicerposition indicated in dotted The means for raising land lowering the splicer-trough as required comprises the ivoted bell-crank 179, the horizontal sphcer connecting-rod 120 with its slotted end 145 engaging one arm of said bell-crank, and the cam 144 for varying said engagement, all'of which parts have been heretofore mentioned. Simultaneously with the beginning of each narrowing operation the movement of the connecting-rod 120 in the direction indicated by the arrow raises the splicer-trough to the dotted position, the slack-armf182 rising with it and the `shearing-plates 190 191 and clamping-plates 196 197 being spread by the, downward movement of the rods 193 193a.

This latter movement, as shown, is effected positively by means of spring-pressed hooks 200, pivoted to the fixed head 161, and which engage the projecting ends of the pins 194 to hold down the rods 193 and 193EL during a portion of the trough raising movement, When the trough is fully raised, as indicated in dotted lines, the loose end of the reinforcing thread'is practically engaged with the moving main thread, so as to be carried along with the latter, as indicated by the close parallel dotted lines, during the heel or toe knitting. Before this double thread knitting is completed the cam 144 is moved, as already described, so as to raise the slotted connecting-rod end l45sufciently to 'permlt the connected end of `the bell-crank 179 to enter the narrower portion of the slot 201,

and thus -allow the bell-crank to turn in. the extended lower portion of said slot, so as to partially lower the splicer -.trough 175 and permit the separation of the two threads preparatory to the cutting of the .reinforcingthread This cutting action and the simultaneous clamping of the reinforcing-thread are effec ted at' the proper time by the final lowering-,of the splicer-trough through the reverse movement of the connecting-rod 120, effectedA by the lever 112, as previously described,'the rods 193 and 198av being raised to operate the cutting and clamping plates by contact with adjustablestops 202 `on the carrier-head 161 of the-post 160 during suchfinal lowering of' the splicer-trough. The slack-arm` 182 is of course lowered with the splicer-trough, so-

that the parts are ready for. a repetition of the splicing operation, as determinedvby the pattern-chain and connecting mechanisms described.

The successive movements and operations at the end of the heel or toe knitting. A'

of the various parts of my improved machine have been fully described substantially in .the order of their occurrence in connection with the foregoing description of the particular construction and relative arrangement of said parts. The general process of knitting stockings carried into effect' thereby is common and well known, my invention consist-` ing in the novel mechanisms provided and in thelr cooperative arrangement, whereby the various -movements and changes of opera- IOO tion required are eected at proper times in an` improved manner and with comparative simplicity of construction and certainty of` satisfactory operation. I.

' In following the several lmovements efl fected'or controlled by the pattern-chain it will be noticed- A -V First. That the raising and-lowering of ther needle-cylinder to vary the length ofthe stitches isleffected by direct action of the chain upon the needle-cylinder-carryin lever 80, whereas the desired movement o the needle-cylinder preparatory toy knitting the heel and toe is enected by each swing of the clutch-operatedlever 112, the action of which upon the carrying-lever 80 maybe conveniently regulated by the adjusting-screw 115.

Second. The slide-cam is moved by the pattern-chain through the slide-rod 128, first, before starting the reciprocating movement a suiiicient distance only to simultaneously operate the -throw-out cam 23 and the slide-ring lever 45, and, second, when the reciprocating movement is about to be'changed a greater distance to operate the throw-in cam 24. l

Third. The movement of the clutch 54 to cause reciprocating motion of the cam-cylindei' is merely controlled by the shifting :iction of the patterii-cl'iain upon the clutch-operating lever 92, pivoted to the ioc i-shaft 94, i

the actual movement of said lever to throw the clutch being siibsequrntly effected by the cani. 98 on the crank-wheel 57, which cam operales upon said lever only when the latter is thus shifted into its path and is so timed as to Ylirst permit about two revolutions of the cani-cylinder after the throw-out cam has the splicer mechanism.

Fifth. The latch -lever 99 is roperated in two waysgiirst, to merely release the clutch 54 for resuming the rotary movement, and, second, by a more extended movement, to also shift the belt i'or stopping` the. machine.

llnis it will be seen that by my improved mechanisms and their cooperative arrangeell'ect the various successive steps in the liiitting of-a stocking are positively and automatically made in a very simple and satisfactory manner and with great simplification of the machine.

The detail construction of parts and the particular arrangement thereof specifically set forth in the drawings and foregoing` description may obviously be modified without departing from the invention.

1alf-hatl claim i in a 1iiitt-ing-inachine the coinbii'iatioii cani-cylinder, a vertically-niovable a L cyinder, a change-inotion for said cani-cylinder coiiiilnisiiif-l" a clutch, and a pattern mechanism :irrenC d to control the operation i "il clutch, ofa lifting-lever for sind :icc:A -rylinrflery and a.clutch-operated lever and separate patternoperated lever 'h arrai'igeii to directly eng e the free end oi said liit.iiig-'lever and 'to independently operate the latter subs .nitially set forth.

2. ln a liiiitting-niaehiiie the combination with a cani-cylinder, a, vertically-movable needlecylinden'a ehaiige-ii'iotion for said cani-cylinder comprising a clutch, and a pat tern mechanism arranged to control the operation ofsaid clutch, of a lifting-lever for said needle-cylinder having its free outer end inclined to the horizontal, and a clutch-operated lever arranged to swing in a horizontal plane and to operate said lifting-lever so as to raise and hold elevated the needle-cylinder' substantially as set forth.

3. ln a linitting-niachine.the combination with a camcylinder, a vertically-movable needlecylinder, a changeemotion for said cani-cylinder comprising a clutch, and a pattern mechanism arranged to control the operation of said clutch, of a lifting-lever for said iieedlewlvl:nder having its free outer end inclined to the horizontal, a clutch-operated lever arranged to swing in a horizontal plane and to operate said lifting-lever so as to raise and hold elevated the needlewkvlindcr, and a separate patterinoperated lever arranged to swing in a vertical plane and to iiidepeiideiitly engage and operate said lifting-lever, substantially as set forth.

4i ln a knitting-machine the combination with a cam-cylinder, a vertically-movable needle-cylinder, a change-motion for said cam-cylinder comprising a clutch, and a pattern mechanism arranged to control the .operation of said clutch, of a lifting-lever for said needle-cylinder having its free outer end inclined to the horizontal, a clutch-operated lever arranged to swing in a horizontal plane and to operate said lifting-lever so as to raise and hold elevated the needle-cylinder, a separate pattern operated lever arranged to swing in a vertical vplane and to independently engage and operate said lifting-lever,

.i and separate contact-screws in said clutchinent as described all the changes required to,

operated lever and pattern-operated lever tor independently regulating their separate liftingl actions, substantially as set forth.

ln a knit-ting-niachiiie the combination with a cani-cylinder carrying a throat-ont cam, a throw-in cani, and independent vicrtically movable devices for operatingsaid cams located at different distances from the cain-cylinder, ,of a cam movable in a iixed guide into the path of one or other of said devices.

6. In a knitting-machine the combination with a cani-cylinder carrying a throwont cani, a throw-in cam, and independent vertically movable devices for operating said cams located at different distances from' the cam-cylinder, of a cam movable in a iiXed guide and means for periodically moving said cam successively into the separate paths of said devices.

7. In a knitting-n'iachine the combination with a cam-cylinder carrying a throw-ont cani, a throw-in cam, and independent verticallymovable devices for operating said cams located at different distances frointhe cani-cylinder, of a cam movable in a`i'ixed vguide into the path'oiI one or other of said devices to depress the same, and fixed means for reraising said devices.

S. In a knitting-machine the combination withv a cam-cylinder carrying a throw-ont cam and a throw-in cam, of a fitting thereto provided with horizontal and vertical guideways, a spring-retracted cam radially movable in said horizontal guideway, and a vertical plunger-wedge for projecting said cam to control the operation of the cylinder-cams.

' S). In a knitting-machine the combination. with a cani-cylinder carrying a throw-ont IOO IIO

cam and a throw-in cam with independent operating devices therefor, drop-pickerswith a controIlingfslide-ring therefor, and an operating-lever for s'aid ring, ofl a cam arranged .to operate one of lsaid independent devices and said ring-operating lever simultaneously at one period of the knitting operation, and

stantially as set forth.

the other device at a different period thereof, substantially as set forth.

10. In a knittin -machine the combination With a cam-cyIinder Carrying a throwout cam and a throw-in cam with independent operating devices therefor, drop-pickers with a controlling slide-ring therefor, and an operating-lever and latch-lever for said ring, of a cam arranged to operate saiddevices and said slide-ring-operating lever, and separate means for operating 'said latch-lever, sub- 11. In a knitting-machine the combination with a cam-cylinder carrying drop-pickers, a slide-ring, fingers engaging said pickers, a ring-operating lever and spring, and a ringlocking latch, of separatev cams adapted to engage said ringoperating lever and said ring-locking latch respectively and a pattern mechanism for periodically operating said separate cams as required, substantially asset forth.

12. In a knitting-machine the combinat'ion with a change-motion mechanism comprising a crank-Wheeland a rack-bar reciprocated thereby, of a pattern-chain mechan- Yism comprising an operating-pawl therefor, a

pivoted carrying-lever for said pawl having its free end arranged in thepath of a -contactingportion of said reciprocating bar, and a spring arranged to normally retract said paw] and carrying-lever, substantially as set forth.

13. In a knittingmachine the combination with a change-motionvmechanism' comprising a clutch and a geared Wheel having a lcani projection, of a shiftable clutch-throwing lever adapted to be operated by said cam, e and patterncontrolled means for shifting said lever into the path of said cam, substantially as set forth.

14. Ina knitting-machine the combination With a change-motion mechanism comprising a clutch and a geared Wheel having a cam projection, of a clutch-throwing lever, a rock-arm Ito which said lever is pivoted, and

jointly control the position of said lever relative to the cam, substantially as set forth.

15. In a knittingmachine the combination with a change-motion mechanism comprising a clutch and a suitably-guided springpressed clutch-arm rod, of means for positively moving said clutch-arm rod, a latch for locking the latter, and a pattern mechanism for releasing said latch, substantially as set forth. 16. In a knittingmachine the combination With a change-motion mechanism comprising a clutch and a suitably-'guided springpressed clutch-arm rod, 'and a stop-motion comprising a suitably-guided spring-pressed belt-shifting device, of separate latches for said clutch-arm rod 'and shifting device one 7o of Whichlatches engages the other to release the latter, substantially as set forth.

17. In a knittingmachine the combina- Vtion With a change-motion mechanism c'omprising a clutch and a suitably-guided spring- 7 5 pressed clutch-arm rod, and a stop-motion comprising a suitably-guided spring-pressed- .belt-shifting device, of'separatelatches for said clutch-arm rod and shifting device and a pattern mechanism arranged-to operate said 8o clutch-arm latch to -release one or both of said latches as desired.

18.'v In, a knittingmachine the combina-v tion with a change-motion mechanism com-- prisin a clutch, and with an adjustable -neement .With said raising and lowering ever 9ov and also With said splicer-rod.

19. In a knittingmachine thev combination With a change-motion mechanism comprising a clutch, cfa thread-splicer mechan- `ism comprising a verticallyguided splicer- 9S rod, a bell-crank having one arm thereof connected to said vsplicer-rod, a connectin -rod having an end provided with a shoul ered slot adjustably engaging the other arm of said bell-crank, a sprin and a cam mechanroo ism for controlling sai engagement, and a clutch-operated 4lever operatively connected to said connecting-rod.

20. In a knittingmachine the combination With a change-motion mechanismcomprising a clutch, of a thread-splicer mechanism comprising a vertically guided splicerrod, a bell-crank having one arm thereof connected to said splicer-rod, a connecting-rod having one end provided with a'slot of un. equal Width forming a shoulder and engaging the other arm of said bell-crank, a clutch-operated lever operatively connected to said connected rod, and means for raising and lowering the slotted end of said connecting- :[15 ,rod to vary its connection to the bell-crank, a pattern mechanism and spring arranged to 21. In -a knitting-machine the combination With a change-motion mechanism comprising a clutch, and a cam-lever forreleasing the drop-pickers, of a splicer mechanism comprising a vertically-guided splicer-rod, a bell-crank having one arm thereof connected to said splicer-rod, a connecting-rod having ne end provided with a slot of unequal Width forming a shoulder and engaging the other `arm of said bell-crank, and a clutchoperated lever operatively connected to said -connecting-rod, said drop-picker cam-lever 22. ln a kmfling-machine. a thread-splicing mechanism comprisinrr a carrier-head provided with thread -guides for an upper main thread and a lower iei'nforcing-thread A and a vertically-movable Splicer-trough, and mechanism for raising said trough full)V to engage the threads and thereafter loweringer l l l i tingl and clamping' devices, and vertically movable rods cngaginea Said deviceav to reciprocate the saine SubstantialhY as set forth.

25. lii a thread -Splieingl mechanism for kmtting-machiires, the. combination with a carrier-head7 of a Vert.ically-movable splicertrough `guided therein, traiinversely-inovablc cuttingr and clampingy devices and vcrticallxf'- the Same by Steps Substantially as set forth. '23. In a knittnig-machine, a thread-splie ing mechanism comprising a carrier-head i provided with thread -guidesY for an upper main thread and a lower reinforcing-thread and a Vertici ily-movable splicer-trough car- I rying cutting means and clamping means, and mechanism for raming said trough full;v

to engage the threads and thereafter lower- Q ing' the saine first partiall)v to disengage the i threads and then fully to operate said Cutting i and Clamping means.

"in the presence 24. ln a thread- `splicingr mechanism for knitting machines, a spheer-troiigh provided respectively with transversely-movahle cutif'erticall)v movable l at its opposiitel ends movable operating-rods therefor carried by said trough7 and adjust-able Seats on the carrier-head for Said rods.

26. In a thread-Splicing mechanism for knitting` machines they coii'ibination with a fixed carrier provided with reinforcingthread guides, of a movable splieer-trough carrying thread cutting and clamping devices, a Slack-arm pivotcd to said fixed carrier, and a splicer-trmigh rod having a finger engaging said slack-arm.Substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof l aflix my signature of two witnesses.

JOHN B, HIPWELL.

VitneSSeS: f

D. M. STEWART,

W. G. STEWART. 

